Beauty Link is free for patients. It is a concierge, not a clinic. Injections count too: a partner must be a hospital licensed by Vietnam's health ministry, not a beauty salon. Written by the Beauty Link team in October 2026. It is general information, not medical advice, and it has not been reviewed by a doctor. Ask the injecting doctor anything about your face or your health.
Sources: NHS, Beauty Link team records
What anti wrinkle injections are
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin is an injection that relaxes certain face muscles for a while. It is a purified substance made from bacteria. It blocks the nerve signal to the muscle, so the muscle cannot tighten in the same way. The lines that the muscle makes then look softer.
The ASPS says the areas treated most often are frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet near the eyes. Other areas include bands in the neck, thick jaw muscles and lip lines.
DermNet, a New Zealand dermatology resource, says these injections work on lines made by movement. The ASPS names several brands, and DermNet says there is no standard unit to compare one brand with another.
The ASPS says these injections can be combined with other skin treatments, such as laser treatments or dermal fillers. Read about fillers in our lip filler Vietnam guide.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, DermNet
What happens at the appointment
The ASPS says that at the consultation you discuss your goals, your health, any allergies and the medicines and supplements you take, as well as likely outcomes and risks. It describes the treatment like this:
- A very thin needle puts small amounts of the medicine into chosen muscles.
- The injections usually take less than 15 minutes.
- Crow's feet often need two to three injections. Lines above the brow may need five or more.
- No anaesthetic is needed.
The ASPS says only an experienced healthcare professional should do it, because they must know exactly which muscles to treat.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Results, recovery and how long it lasts
The ASPS says there is no downtime after these injections. Your doctor will tell you what applies to you. The ASPS also says rubbing or massaging the treated areas can make the medicine move to another part of the face, which could cause weakness or drooping for a while.
Here is what the ASPS describes for results:
- You may see a change within a few days.
- The full effect can take up to a week.
- The effect usually lasts about three to four months.
- As it fades, the muscle moves again and the lines come back.
DermNet says that in rare cases the body makes antibodies against the medicine, and that how often you have injections is the main risk factor. Ask your doctor how often is right for your face.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, DermNet
Risks and side effects
The NHS says all cosmetic procedures carry some risk, including non surgical ones, and can lead to serious problems if not done correctly. The ASPS calls this treatment generally safe. It lists bruising and pain where the needle went in, redness, headache, nausea, flu like symptoms, and weakness or drooping of the face for a while.
DermNet says the most common side effects come from the injection, rather than from the medicine itself. It lists pain, bruising, swelling and redness at the injection site. It says weakness of nearby muscles is uncommon, at fewer than 10 percent of treatments, and can affect the eyelids, brows or lips.
The ASPS says spread of the medicine beyond the treated area is very unlikely. MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, says for one brand that signs of spread include trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking. It says these can start hours or several weeks after treatment, and need a doctor straight away or emergency care.
DermNet lists times when the medicine is not used, such as some conditions that cause muscle weakness, an allergy to it, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Raise your health history with your doctor at the consultation.
Sources: NHS, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, DermNet, MedlinePlus
How to choose who injects you in Vietnam
In the UK, NHS guidance says a prescriber must see you first. Someone else can give the injections, but the prescriber must make sure that person is trained and safe. It says to know who the prescriber is, who will treat you, their training and their insurance. This is UK guidance, not Vietnam's rules, but you can ask a hospital in Vietnam the same questions.
The NHS also warns UK patients about:
- group treatments, or events where alcohol is served
- vouchers sold on discount websites
- mobile services that treat people in homes or hotels
- people who only advertise on social media
Smartraveller, the Australian Government's travel advice service, writes about surgery overseas. It says to check that the hospital is accredited by the local authorities, that the surgeon is qualified and accredited, and that both have indemnity insurance. You can ask the same of whoever injects you.
Here are questions you can ask a hospital, in writing:
- Is the hospital licensed, and can you show me the licence?
- Who will prescribe the medicine, and who will give the injections?
- What training does the person injecting me have in this treatment?
- Which product and brand will you use, and can I have the maker's leaflet?
- What side effects should I watch for, and who do I message if one happens?
- Do you want to see me again before I fly home?
The NHS tells UK patients they can walk away if they are not completely comfortable. For more checks, read how to check a Vietnam plastic surgery hospital.
Sources: NHS, Smartraveller
If you are visiting, or if you live in Vietnam
If you fly in for treatment. The full effect can take up to a week, so ask the doctor if they want to check you before you go. The sources we read do not give a set wait before flying, so ask the doctor who injects you. Smartraveller notes that most basic travel policies do not cover treatment you travel for. If you are also planning surgery, see our face lift Vietnam guide.
If you live in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. The effect usually fades after three to four months. If you have it again, keep a note of the product and the areas treated, and share it with the doctor.
For more on safety before you travel, read is plastic surgery in Vietnam safe.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Smartraveller
How Beauty Link helps
Beauty Link helps you find a licensed hospital in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for non surgical treatments, including anti wrinkle injections, and for surgery. Even for a quick injection visit, the hospital must hold a Vietnamese Ministry of Health license.
- A shortlist of licensed hospitals that offer the treatment you ask about.
- One WhatsApp group. Your injection questions go to the hospital team in a chat that your advisor also joins. The hospital introduces itself and talks through options that may suit you. It sends a personal treatment plan and quote, and explains what is included.
- Help with questions. If a word about dosing or aftercare is unclear, your advisor in the chat can translate it.
- On the ground. If you fly in, a free airport pick up.
- After you go home. Your advisor checks in with you.
Beauty Link is free for patients. Because hospitals fund Beauty Link, it is not neutral: compare the plans and take your time. Whether a treatment suits you is a question for your doctor, and the choice is always yours.
Sources: Beauty Link team records
Questions
They contain a purified form of botulinum toxin, made from bacteria. The ASPS says it blocks the nerve signal to a muscle, so the lines it makes look softer. There are several brands.
The ASPS says the effect usually lasts about three to four months. How long yours lasts is something your doctor can talk through.
The ASPS says that as the effect fades, the muscle moves again and the lines return. The sources we read do not say the lines come back worse. Ask your doctor what to expect for your face.
The ASPS calls them generally safe, but every cosmetic procedure carries some risk, the NHS says. The ASPS lists side effects such as bruising, redness, headache and drooping of the face for a while. Who injects you matters.
The ASPS says there is no downtime, and the sources we read do not give a set wait before flying. Your doctor will tell you what applies to you. Ask them if they want to see you again before you leave.
It depends on who treats you. Smartraveller says standards can differ between hospitals and medical professionals within a country. Check the licence, who injects you and the product used.
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, NHS, Smartraveller, Beauty Link team records